To unlock a Cricket Wireless phone for another carrier, request unlocking through the appropriate Android app or, for an eligible iPhone, through your Cricket account online. Your phone must meet Cricket’s eligibility requirements before the unlock can succeed. After approval, complete the steps for your phone and activate your new carrier’s SIM or eSIM.
The short version
- Eligibility first: Your purchase date affects the required service period, and the phone must meet Cricket’s other unlock conditions.
- Most Android phones: Open myCricket, sign out if necessary, then tap Unlock Device on the sign-in screen.
- Newer Motorola and Cricket phones: Motorola and Cricket-branded devices launched in 2025 or later use the Cricket Device Unlock app.
- Current iPhone customers: Sign in online, find your number, and select Request Unlock.
- After approval: Restart as directed and complete your new carrier’s SIM or eSIM activation.
| Option | When to use it | Main action |
|---|---|---|
| Open myCricket | Most Cricket Android phones | Tap Unlock Device, then Unlock |
| Cricket Device Unlock app | Motorola and Cricket-branded devices launched in 2025 or later | Tap the bottom-center lock icon |
| Online iPhone request | Eligible iPhones on a current Cricket account | Select Request Unlock |
| Android web fallback | Android phones unsupported by either unlock app | Select How to Unlock My device |
| Public account page | Finding Cricket’s unlock instructions | Select How To Unlock Your Device |
| Android unlock code | Code-compatible Android phones | Enter Cricket’s code after inserting another carrier’s SIM |
| Telephone support | Former iPhone customers or failed eligible online requests | Request unlocking from Cricket |
| Chat support | Assistance with an unlock request | Select Chat with us |
| Military deployment exception | Qualifying active, deployed personnel | Supply acceptable deployment verification |
| Official app download page | Getting the app named myCricket | Use Cricket’s download section |
| iPhone status check | Confirming whether an iPhone is unlocked | Check Carrier Lock |
| iPhone physical SIM activation | Approved unlock with a SIM tray | Insert the new carrier’s SIM |
| iPhone eSIM activation | Approved unlock on a supported iPhone | Install the carrier’s cellular plan |
| iPhone completion without another SIM | Approved unlock without a replacement SIM | Back up, erase, and restore |
| iPhone erase controls | Completing the approved unlock through erasure | Tap Erase All Content and Settings |
| iCloud backup restoration | Restoring after the approved-unlock erase step | Tap From iCloud Backup |
Check your phone’s unlock eligibility
Check when you purchased the phone. Cricket’s unlock help page specifies six months of paid service for purchases before July 1, 2026, and 365 days for purchases on or after that date (checked October 2026). Its general unlock policy states 365 days without that earlier-purchase distinction, so ask Cricket to resolve any disagreement about your eligibility.
Your device must be designed for Cricket, locked to Cricket, and free of any lost, stolen, or fraud association. Cricket also requires internet connectivity for unlocking. Sign in only through Cricket’s own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
Unlock an Android phone through the right app
For most Cricket Android phones, open myCricket and sign out if you are signed in. On the sign-in screen, tap Unlock Device, then tap Unlock. Restart the phone after the app confirms success.
This route applies to both current and former Cricket customers with supported Android phones. If you need the app, open Cricket’s official app download page and use its download section to get the app named myCricket. Its Android unlock procedure does not replace the online iPhone request.
Motorola and Cricket-branded devices launched in 2025 or later use the Cricket Device Unlock app. Open Cricket Device Unlock, then tap the lock icon at the bottom center of the screen. After successful confirmation, restart the phone.
If neither app supports your Android phone, continue with the online fallback below. If the appropriate app rejects your request, contact Cricket through its official contact page for assistance with the request or your eligibility.
Use the Android web fallback or unlock code
For an Android phone unsupported by either unlock app, sign in to Cricket online and open manage your account. Under Need Help?, select How to Unlock My device and follow the instructions.
You can also start at Cricket’s account management page. Under Need help?, select How To Unlock Your Device to reach the unlock instructions. This public page uses different wording from the signed-in procedure.
If Cricket supplies an unlock code for a code-compatible Android phone, power the phone off. Replace its SIM with another carrier’s SIM, then power it on. Enter Cricket’s unlock code when prompted, then restart.
Request an iPhone unlock online
As a current Cricket customer with an eligible iPhone, follow the device unlock link from Cricket’s account page and sign in. Find your phone number, then select Request Unlock. Restart the iPhone if needed after the request succeeds.
If you are a former iPhone customer, request unlocking through Cricket’s telephone support. Use that same route when an eligible iPhone request fails online. The contact details below let you reach Cricket before proceeding with activation or the approved-unlock completion steps.
To check the result on iOS 14 or later, open Settings > General > About. Check Carrier Lock for No SIM restrictions, which means the iPhone is unlocked. This screen displays the status; it does not submit an unlock request.
Activate the new carrier’s SIM or eSIM
Once Cricket confirms unlocking, an iPhone with a physical SIM tray can complete activation with the new carrier’s SIM. Remove the existing physical SIM and insert the replacement. The iPhone then activates.
The eSIM options below apply to eSIM-capable iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or later models, subject to regional model and new-carrier support. Cricket must approve the unlock first. Follow the activation method your new carrier supplies.
For carrier-pushed activation, open Settings and tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed. Tap Continue to proceed.
For a carrier QR code, open Camera and scan the carrier’s QR code. Tap Cellular Plan Detected, tap Continue, then tap Add Cellular Plan. Enter the carrier’s confirmation code if requested.
For a carrier activation link on iOS 17.4 or later, open the link. Tap Allow, then tap Continue. These activation steps do not replace Cricket’s unlock approval.
Complete an approved iPhone unlock without another SIM
If Cricket has confirmed the unlock and you do not have another SIM available, Apple’s completion procedure is to back up the iPhone, erase it, and restore the backup. Erasing deletes device data, so make the backup first. An erase by itself does not obtain carrier approval.
On the current iPhone interface, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap Continue. To preserve your eSIM, tap Keep eSIM and Erase Data.
Enter the device passcode and wait for the backup to finish. Enter your Apple Account password, tap the keyboard’s Done button, and wait for the reset. Proceed with setup to restore your saved data.
If you used an iCloud backup, continue through setup until you reach Transfer Your Apps & Data, then tap From iCloud Backup. Sign in to your Apple Account and choose the saved backup. Complete any requested sign-ins and keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power until restoration finishes.
Fix a failed unlock request with Cricket support
For assistance, open Cricket’s contact page and select Chat with us. Request device-unlock assistance and explain which app or online procedure you used. Cricket says chat may be able to unlock devices, but eligibility still applies.
Elsewhere on Cricket’s site, select Chat With Us to reach its digital assistant as the chat entry point. If you are a former iPhone customer or your eligible iPhone request failed online, call Cricket at 1-800-274-2538 and request unlocking (checked October 2026).
If the required service period is blocking your request, ask Cricket to confirm how your purchase date affects eligibility. For other failures, ask Cricket to review the unlock request and the device’s status. Continue with SIM activation or the iPhone completion procedure after Cricket confirms approval.
Request the military deployment exception
If you are active, deployed military personnel and cannot meet the 365-day service requirement, Cricket allows an overseas-deployment exception for one device (checked October 2026). All other unlock requirements still apply. You must supply acceptable deployment verification.
Contact a Cricket Support Advocate through the official telephone or chat options and request the exception. You can also call 611 from a Cricket phone (checked October 2026), and Cricket accepts these requests at its stores. Ask Cricket what deployment verification to submit, then supply the required documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple approve the unlock for my Cricket iPhone?
Apple says only your carrier can authorize an iPhone unlock. You must request approval from Cricket, even when the remaining completion steps take place on your iPhone.
Is Cricket’s account app already installed on its Android phones?
Cricket says the app named myCricket is already installed on Android phones it sells. Check for it on your phone before using Cricket’s official download page.
Should I follow older directions to select Account Settings and Get Code?
Use Cricket’s current app or online procedure instead of older directions to select Account Settings and choose Get Code. Cricket’s current instructions direct Android phones unsupported by either unlock app through account management and the device unlock help link.
Does Cricket list every supported phone and app version?
Ask Cricket support to confirm the appropriate route if your model does not clearly fit the stated device categories.
What exact prompt should appear when an Android phone asks for the unlock code?
If you cannot identify where to enter the code Cricket supplied, contact Cricket support for help with your model.